A different kind of auto show gets 'go' light in Worcester

The New England Summer Nationals may have peeled out to a new venue in Connecticut, but the tradition of having a car show in the city during the Fourth of July holiday will continue.

The Parks and Recreation Commission Thursday night enthusiastically gave a green light to a local group to stage an automobile show in Green Hill Park from July 4-7 — a show being billed as something much different compared to past events.

The commission gave its unanimous approval after neighborhood residents appeared comfortable with the organizers' promises that the show will be nothing like the Summer Nationals.

The organizers assured those in attendance that their event focuses on the exhibition of antique and classic cars and does not include any of the controversial aspects of the Summer Nationals, such as the burnouts that were held downtown and helicopter rides that originated out of Green Hill Park.

Also, motorcycles are not part of the show.

Gary Cooper, one of the event's organizers, said the “Cars of Summer” show is a family-oriented event. He said it includes live entertainment and an antique car auction, as well as a tethered hot-air balloon ride in place of a helicopter.

The event will take place in the park from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

Mr. Cooper emphasized there is a “zero tolerance” for burnouts in the park, as well as in the surrounding neighborhoods, by any of the participants in the show. He added that a police detail will be hired.

“We're cleaning it up so to speak,” Mr. Cooper said when comparing his event to the New England Summer Nationals, which has moved to Thompson International Speedway in Connecticut after being held in the city for 22 years. “This will be more of a family show. There will be different types of vehicles in this show; ones that people want to show and not abuse.”

The organizers, who also include Roger Steele of Worcester and Marissa Brown of Webster, recently stepped forward with the idea of a car show to fill the void created by the departure of the New England Summer Nationals annual show.

The Parks and Recreation Commission approved in concept the use of Green Hill Park for the car show a couple of weeks ago, but before taking a final vote it wanted to give neighborhood residents an opportunity to weigh in and ask questions of the organizers.

About 35 people showed up at Thursday night's meeting, including state Rep. Mary Keefe, D-Worcester, and District 1 City Councilor Tony Economou. More than a dozen people spoke, none in opposition.

After hearing from the organizers about how their car show differs from the Summer Nationals, those neighborhood residents in attendance pretty much embraced it.

Ms. Keefe did suggest, however, that the event organizers set the tone for the event well before it is held by emphasizing that their show is nothing like the Summer Nationals.

She also suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission hold another meeting for neighborhood residents not long after the event is held to evaluate it and to note if any problems occurred.

Parks Commissioner Paul Gunnerson said he was thrilled by the neighborhood turnout for Thursday's meeting and the fact that residents seem to have embraced the event.

“I'm happy to hear that people are comfortable with this,” Mr. Gunnerson said. “This will be so drastically different than the Summer Nationals. I'm very optimistic this will be a wonderful event and I think we have very responsive people (event organizers) on board.”